The Saranac Lake native began competing internationally at the age of 13. He finished 13th at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, calling it the low point of his career. His road to Sochi has been a different story. Mazdzer is now ranked 5th in the world behind five top-10's in world cup competition, including two silvers in men's singles and another silver in a team relay.

With multiple podium finishes to his name, Mazdzer has garnered the attention of the world's best. As Sochi nears, it's evident that he's peaking at the right time.

"So I've actually been competing against the same guys since I was young and always looking up to them, idolizing them," Mazdzer says. "Armin Zoeggeler, David Moeller, seeing these guys and then to finally over the years make ground, break ground and then finally beat them it's sensational. I've always idolized them and now I've become one of them."

"There is no ceiling for Chris," U.S. Luge Assistant Coach Bill Tavares says. "I think he's just scratching right now at the entry. Him at the entry as a medalist is tremendous and medals are out there for him."

In order to grab hold of one, it's going to require a combination of elements.

"Winning a medal in Sochi is going to be absolute perfection down the track, a really fast start, and setting up your sled to the exact conditions of the race. You're going to need to have all three of those elements to do well in Sochi."

The results and the drive are there. Now it's time to hit the ice with the goal of bringing a present back to the North Country.

"Hopefully I can come home with something that's bright and shiny. I don't know what that's going to be but that's the hope."